Storing Wine Properly

I just heard a story from someone who had to dump a bottle 1988 vintage Champagne because it had been stored in a regular fridge for almost two years. While that may seem like a harmless thing to do – you are supposed to keep wine cool while you store it after all – one very important component is missing – humidity! To keep food fresh, you need a dry environment. To keep wine fresh, you need a humid one. Humidity prevents the cork from drying. This is why you buy a wine fridge for your wine and a regular fridge for the food.

For the average consumer, most wines purchased will be drunk within a month, often within 24 hours. In this short amount of storage time you should not worry too much about where you put that bottle. But do if it’s going to be sitting somewhere for more than a day, keep these storage tips in mind.

– Don’t keep it over the oven or stove, in a hot car, in direct sunlight or anywhere else where it could be “cooked.”
– Don’t keep wine in the fridge for over a week or two because of that humidity factor.
– Store wines on their side to keep the cork wet. Screw cap wines can be stored upright or on their side, but be careful that you don’t dent the cap – that could break the seal and let in air.

If you are planning to store wine longer than a month or two, you may need a more controlled storage environment. The same tips above apply, but you may try to make sure the wine hangs out in an area with regulated temperature – it’s not necessarily the temperature that can ruin a wine, but the swings in temperature, so even if it’s not perfect storage temps, staying constant is important. A dark closet in a basement would be good –no sunlight or drastic temperature changes and possibly a bit of humidity to help as well!

For super age-worth wines – invest in a fridge. There are small ones out there that will do the trick and not break the bank.

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One thought on “Storing Wine Properly”

I didn’t know I shouldn’t keep my wine in my fridge for more than a week or so. It’s no wonder I had to toss a nice bottle a few weeks ago. I will have to get a wine chiller or put it down in my basement next time.